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One of three defendants accused of murdering a Canton woman in rural Muskingum County in August
pleaded guilty yesterday and agreed to testify against others involved in the case.

Katrina Culberson, 20, of Canton, pleaded guilty to aggravated murder, aggravated arson and
kidnapping in Muskingum County Common Pleas Court in the Aug. 28 death of 29-year-old Celeste
Fronsman, of Canton.

A passing motorist found Fronsman beaten and burned but alive on Rt. 208, near Adamsville, on
Aug. 26. Two days later, she died of her burns at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center.
She had been found with a strap around her neck, and told her rescuer of her attack.

Muskingum County Prosecutor D. Michael Haddox said that in exchange for Culberson’s guilty plea,
he agreed not to pursue a possible death sentence. He is recommending life in prison without parole
on the aggravated-murder conviction, and 11 years on each of the other two counts, to be served
consecutively.

In addition, Culberson has agreed to testify against the other two defendants in the case:
24-year-old Monica Washington and 33-year-old LaFonse D. Dixon, both of Canton.

Washington and Dixon have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. Records indicate Dixon
is due back in court in November; no date has been set for Washington. Authorities have said that
Culberson was a prostitute in Canton and had a long string of trouble and arrests.

Fronsman’s father, Jim, has said that his daughter had confided in him that Culberson believed
Celeste had taken $350 from her purse. His daughter told him that Culberson wanted to kill her and
had fired a gun at her. Mr. Fronsman also has said that Culberson came to his home looking for her
and told him she was going to kill her.

Muskingum County Common Pleas Judge Kelly J. Cottrill ordered a pre-sentence investigation. He
did not set a sentencing date.